WEBDESK: The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially launched worldwide, and fans around the globe are lining up to get their hands on the highly anticipated gaming console.
In cities like Tokyo, gamers gathered outside stores as early as dawn. Many had won a sales lottery to buy the device and were thrilled to finally collect it.
“The level of demand seems to be sky-high,” said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy.
Nintendo has sold 152 million Switch home-portable devices since launching in 2017. It became a games juggernaut with titles including two “The Legend of Zelda” titles and COVID-19 pandemic breakout hit “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”.
The Switch 2 bears many similarities with its predecessor but offers a larger screen and improved graphics and debuts with titles including “Mario Kart World”.
“The much larger audience of Switch users should translate to stronger adoption in the opening part of its lifecycle,” said Piers Harding-Rolls, an analyst at Ampere Analysis.
“Nintendo is better prepared this time around” to deal with the high demand, he said.
But with all the excitement comes a challenge: a possible global shortage. Reports say that retailers in several countries, including the U.S., ran out of pre-orders within hours. In Japan alone, Nintendo received over 2.2 million applications for its sales lottery – showing just how strong the demand is.
What is the price of the Nintendo Switch 2?
The price tag of the Nintendo Switch 2 is also drawing attention. It costs $499.99, and new games are priced at $79.99. While many fans are happy to pay for the next-generation experience, others have raised concerns about affordability.
Retailers like Target in the U.S. saw immediate sellouts of the Nintendo Switch 2, while gaming stores in Europe and Asia are warning customers about limited stock. Analysts expect Nintendo to sell between 15 to 20 million units this fiscal year, which would be a big win for the company.
To deal with the high demand, Nintendo says it will increase production and launch special promotions to reach more customers. The company is also counting on the strong game lineup and early fan response to help it compete in the crowded gaming market.
Nintendo said it received 2.2 million applications for its Nintendo Switch 2 sales lottery on its My Nintendo Store in Japan. Pre-orders at Target (TGT.N), opens new tab sold out in less than two hours. Investor expectations for the new device are similarly lofty.
Nintendo’s shares are trading near highs and have gained almost 30% this year.
